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Preview: Euro 2008 Group A – Switzerland vs Czech Republic
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Switzerland |
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vs |  |
Czech Republic |
Saturday, June 7th 2008, 1800 CET
Basel (Switzerland) – Travel to Basel
THE BIG PICTURE
It’s the opening game of Euro 2008. Grit your teeth and pretend to enjoy the opening ceremony (maybe watch it with an older family member) and you’ll be rewarded. Because after the dancing and what not, it all begins. Co-hosts Switzerland versus Euro ‘96 finalists the Czech Republic, and when the whistle goes for kickoff, Euro 2008 is underway.
Three Key Players:
Philippe Senderos – a tower of strength when on his game, a Titus Bramble when he’s not
Tranquillo Barnetta – Switzerland’s main creative force, but only 23
Alexander Frei – Switzerland’s star striker, back from injury.
Switzerland squad
Switzerland Team Profile
Team News: Tranquillo Barnetta and Patrick Mueller are both available after fitness worries.
Triviatastic: Alexander Frei got a three match ban for spitting at Steven Gerrard during Euro 2004, and atoned by agreeing to take care of a llama.
Visit Jan at the Switzerland Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.
Three Key Players:
Petr Cech – the incredible keeper with the protective headguard
Tomas Ujfalusi – captain, defensive lynchpin, looks like an ’80s rock band rhythm guitarist
Jan Koller – 35 years old, but still very very tall
Czech Republic squad
Czech Republic Team Profile
Team News: Right-back Zdenek Pospech has manflu, but leftback/winger Marek Jankulovski has declared himself fit and captain and defensive main man Tomas Ujfalusi is telling everyone his muscle strain is nothing to worry about.
Triviatastic: The word “Czech” is an adjective and therefore should not be used as the abbreviated name of the country. But it’s faster to type than Czech Republic
Visit M’eda at the Czech Republic Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.
BIG BATTLES
Swiss defensive mids vs Czech attacking mids – Switzerland play a defensive mid heavy system, while Czech Republic are without Tomas Rosicky (or Pavel Nedved for that matter.)
Philippe Senderos/Patrick Muller/Johan Djourou vs Jan Koller – can anyone beat the big man in the air?
Exuberance vs Experience Swiss attackers Tranquillo Barnetta and Johan Vonlanthen are fresh-faced early twentysomethings while most of the Czech defence are battle hardened Serie A survivors.
LIVEBLOG
Click here for the Switzerland vs Czech Republic LiveBlog.
Soon we’re on the way. Yay.
Am a bit nervous – even though, in typical Swiss fashion, I expect the worst – going into the half-time break trailing by 2. This way, I can only be positively surprised. 
Oh, and I also invited an English friend over…this way I have at least one guy below me when it comes to trading jokes about the national team. Hehehe.
Posted from 
Australia
Hey Daryl,
nervous Jan here. I’m counting down the hours.
Are you going to take care of the live commentary of the game?
Posted from 
Italy
It’s hard to imagine this being too thrilling a beginning, but after the opening ceremony we’ll happily take anything. If Rosicky had been fit I’d have given the Swiss little chance. Without him, I think they could well grind out a draw,
Posted from 
Ireland
Jan,
Yes, I’m LiveBlogging the first game. Good luck to your Swiss boys (and also to the Czech Rep, I’m excited but neutral)
Posted from 
United Kingdom
Thanks,
I think you can imagine how nervous I am. I can’t really wait two more hours.
Posted from Italy
i’m so creeped out w/ tommy smyth talking about being a snow goddess.
Posted from 
United States
Swiss boys lost… 
Damn. Sorry for Frei if he will not play again in Euro 2008
tsk tsk tsk, … too bad the swiss lost, even though they have more shots and possession than the czechs…
Posted from Australia
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I wouldn’t be surprised if the Swiss pull of a shock result against the Czechs.
Posted from
Netherlands